a little girl attending school in Le Havre has died

On December 17, a case of meningitis was reported to the Normandy Regional Health Agency (ARS) by the Rouen University Hospital. The latter concerned a 7-year-old child attending the Jean-Baptiste Massillon primary school in Le Havre. Hospitalized, the little girl “unfortunately died”, “despite all the efforts of the rescue teams” having taken charge of it.

“Bacterial meningitis can cause death within 24 hours”

As a reminder, meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It generally results from infection by a virus, bacteria or much more rarely by a fungus or parasite. “Rare cases are attributable to injury, cancer or medication,” indicates the World Health Organization (WHO). This disease manifests itself with high fever, headaches, nausea and vomiting as well as a stiff neck. “Bacterial meningitis, the most common dangerous form of the disease, can cause death within 24 hours,” adds the health authority. Thus, she requires immediate medical attention.

Transmission occurs through the air, more precisely through secretions when coughing or sneezing. “When a case of invasive meningococcal infection occurs, it is estimated that there is a risk of transmission for people who have been directly and prolonged exposed to the nasopharyngeal secretions of the sick person within ten days preceding the occurrence of invasive meningococcal infection (IIM). Contagiousness is low and concerns close contacts, in the community and in the family. specifies ARS Normandy.

Meningitis: antibiotic prophylaxis offered to at-risk contact persons

Thus, after the diagnosis was made and the report received, the agency’s monitoring and health security center immediately drew up a list of people who had been in contact with the little girl. Antibiotic prophylaxis was recommended to 15 students, 2 teachers and 49 people from family and friends. This antibiotic intake for non-sick people for prevention is offered as quickly as possible (maximum 10 days after the last contact with the case), in conjunction with the treating doctor or the doctor on call. She “aims to eradicate the carriage of the virulent strain and prevent its spread in the general population while reducing the risk of secondary cases”. At the same time, a medical-psychological emergency unit was mobilized to best support students, staff members and families after this tragedy.